Gaëlle Mignot has announced the names of 35 players to take part in the next stage of preparations for WXV1, being held at Marcoussis from 5-23 August. It shows all the familiar names, with the reassuring return of Madoussou Fall from injury; she was much missed during the World Cup. Four players are absent (listed
The English AP 15s final lies ahead of us; the French one was completed last week. Let’s see how they differ. France Three years ago Brigitte Jugla, in charge of French women’s rugby, decided to put together a day to celebrate women’s and girls’ rugby involving a series of finals at different levels. The climax
Here are some reactions to one great game of rugby: First, Gaelle Mignot’s droop of the head as she realises how close her team have got once more to beating England. From 33-0 down at the break to a 5-point margin at the close. We can justly claim that neither side played an 80-minute game.
Simon Middleton sat back with a contented smile, his work very much done. After the best part of a decade as England head coach, it had been an emotional final week, one last game and one last trophy to win before he bowed out. It was quite the occasion for a curtain call, and quite
Super-heavyweight title bout – Last Round Twickenham Attendance: 58,498, a new world record Result: England 38 France 33 Player of the Match: Sadia Kabeya A monumental occasion The most heralded Six Nations game in history lived up to every expectation. England might have thought they had the game sewn up by half-time, but this was
A long hard look at the Elite League Just as the Anglo-French showdown approaches, the FFR is taking a long hard look at where its structures lag behind England’s. In particular it is placing the Elite 1 league under the microscope. Since 2018 it was undergone no fewer than four alterations. Currently it consists of
Now we know the French side to face England in the battle for the 2023 Trophy: 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Cyrielle Banet, 13 Marine Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 11 Mélissande Llorens, 10 Jessy Trémoulière, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 1 Ylana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Rose Bernadou, 4 Manaé Feleu, 5 Audrey Forlani (captain), 6 Axelle
The England squad The following players have the privilege of being named in Simon Middleton’s final team selection: 15. Ellie Kildunne 14. Abby Dow 13. Helena Rowland 12. Tatyana Heard 11. Claudia MacDonald 10. Holly Aitchison 9. Lucy Packer 1. Hannah Botterman 2. Lark Davies 3. Sarah Bern 4. Zoe Aldcroft 5. Sarah Beckett 6.
France v Wales Six Nations, Round Four, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble Result: France 39 Wales 14 Player of the Match: Gaëlle Hermet Another stormer of a match on the edge of the Alps. France made sure they beat the current 6N attendance record before Twickenham could smother it six days later – 18 604 present.
France v Scotland Round Three Vannes, Brittany This was one of those worrying games the Six Nations throws up. Scotland gave the French some problems early on, but long before the end they were run off their feet. The worry came with a lengthy break on 76 minutes for a serious head injury to Emma
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